Since 1993 the City Ballet of San Diego has, under the direction of Steven Wistrich (Artistic Director) and Elizabeth Wistrich (Resident Choreographer) and Jo Anne Embry (Managing Director), produced some of the most beautiful and innovative ballets rivaling the likes of the American Ballet Theater and the Joffrey Ballet.

In step with this record was the Feb. 5 performance at BSPAC.

Traditionally, since 2000 or so, an afternoon performance is dedicated to educating children and this day was no different as the Borrego Springs Elementary School students were thrilled by the Ugly Duckling, prompting such observations as, "did you know there were one cat, two turtles, three hens and four ducks?" from one alert student.

The evening audience was treated to an homage to New Orleans blues maven Beth Hart in Hart to Hart in which choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich makes every move and position a powerful transcription of the energy and emotion of this music.

In four PAIR, choreographer Geoffrey Gonzales displayed the light lyricism of Debussy's music with the talents of these amazing dancers. Finally, an elegant performance of Mozart's Requiem, which "depicts different emotions in each of the sections, rather than a literal staging of the text," said choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich. Well, it did exactly that. No one could help but be uplifted by this truly grand and eloquent piece.